Boko Haram Wounds Son of Nigeria's Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

The son of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo was wounded leading government troops during a clash with terror group Boko Haram.

Army engineer Lt Col Adeboye Obasanjo was leading a platoon on an offensive at Baza, Adamawa State, to reclaim the town of Michika, which had fallen into the hands of the militants. At least 24 government soldiers were killed.

He sustained a serious injury to his leg and was transported to a hospital in Yola, the state capital. Local reports said the army lost one tank to the insurgents.

The news of Obasanjo's shooting came shortly after the government announced it had recaptured the strategic town of Bama, in Borno state. The army also managed to stop Boko Haram from attacking Borno state's capital Maiduguri.

More than 26,000 people fled Bama, where the insurgents killed dozens of civilians and repeatedly clashed with government forces.

According to the UN, at least 1.5 million people have fled their homes in Nigeria since last year, due to the violent insurgence.

Boko Haram militants are attacking several cities across northern Nigeria, in a bid to expand the Islamic caliphate they proclaimed in Gwoza, along the Cameroon border, last August.

Several towns -- including Duhu, Shuwa, Kirshinga and Dulak -- were raided over Friday night and Saturday.

Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, where the militants usually carry out their attacks, have been under a state of emergency since May 2013.

Human Rights Watch said Boko Haram has killed at least 2,053 people since the beginning of 2014.

According to Western intelligence agencies, the militants are now seeking to tighten their relationship with terror group Isis -- now known as the Islamic State – which is giving them advice on strategy and tactics to expand the "Islamic caliphate" in north-eastern Nigeria.